If producers want me, let them pay: Ramya

IndiaTimes

November 29, 2011

The year so far has been very hectic for Ramya. She's had two big releases, 'Sanju Weds Geetha' and 'Johny Mera Naam'; has two more films ready for release, 'Siddlingu' and 'Lucky'; is shooting for a fifth, 'Katari Veera Surasundarangi'; and has several other projects in her kitty.

No wonder, then, that the actor decided she needed to take a breather and took off on a short holiday to God's own country with her boyfriend Raphael. "I'm celebrating my birthday in Kerala this year. I've always said that Kerala is more beautiful than Goa, so Raphael is taking me there," says Ramya.

On her return, Ramya will be back on the sets of the Upendra-starrer Katari Veera.... "The film is being shot in 2D and 3D, which means that we have to do everything twice. Each scene is shot in 2D, and then the lighting is changed as the exposure for 3D is different. It's been a great learning experience for me, but tedious as well. I play Lord Indra's daughter in the film and getting into my costume and makeup takes several hours. Once I'm dressed up, I have to stay like that till pack-up is announced," says Ramya. But the actor loves working on the film. "I've had scenes with Ambareesh Uncle, who plays Yama. He's an amazing actor and despite my years of experience, I was almost tongue-tied in his presence," adds Ramya.

But are single screen audiences ready to pay extra to watch 3D films? "They may not be, which is why we are shooting the film in 2D as well. Moreover, not all theatres have the technology to screen 3D cinema yet. But it is up to the audience to decide whether they want to see a visually different film," says the actor.

Once she winds up her film with Upendra, Ramya will get busy with two films opposite Duniya Vijay and a Tamil film with director Vetrimaaran, among others. There are rumours, however, that the actor has been antagonizing some filmmakers who have approached her with their projects, announced her possible presence in their films, but after which she denied being a part of any of them. The talk in tinsel town is that she quotes exorbitant remuneration demands for very little work. "That's not true. Everything's not about money. I've done guest appearances for free previously. I have to be excited about the work offered to me. I don't like it when filmmakers make announcements without my permission, especially if I haven't signed on the dotted line. But if producers want me in their films, they should be ready to pay," she signs off.